Guilt If I Do – Guilt If I Don’t

Yesterday, I had an amazing day.

I woke up in a hotel room in Los Angeles and had a lovely breakfast with successful women who are up to inspiring things. I was then picked up by a car service to take me to a photo shoot for the Woohoo Radio Network. When I arrived at Starla Fortunado’s studio, I was whisked into “hair and makeup” by professionals then I was doted on while the fabulous Miss Starla took these pictures.

As if that wasn’t enough, I was picked up by a limo (YES, a limo) compliments of the radio network and driven to “The Castle”. A fun (and somewhat funky [there is a dungeon complete with torture chamber.  No lie, I've got the pictures.]) rental in the Hollywood Hills where I get to spend the weekend masterminding and  strategizing with the other radio show hosts.

 

I’m sitting here now, at the end of a long and wonderful day, looking out a breathtaking view of the LA skyline wanting to share with the world how much I enjoyed my day. I wanted to jump on facebook and share these photos and celebrate the fabulousness that is this trip.

And I didn’t.

Because I was crippled by guilt.

I felt guilty for loving my day so much because it had nothing to do with my kids.  I felt like if I shared that I loved my day, then some of my friends would think that I love being a speaker and radio show host more than I love being a mom.  (Which for the record is simply not true.)

I worried that some people on twitter or instagram would think that I was “bragging” too much or that I was trying to rub something in their faces.

So, I said nothing.

Then I thought, if I can’t share and celebrate my excitement with my friends, who can I share it with?  Can’t we feel comfortable celebrating what’s right without the fear of judgement?  I felt guilty for NOT sharing my day since it looked like I was ungrateful for the awesomeness and all that the radio network did for me.

The more I thought about it, the more I thought that this has nothing to do with anyone else OR what anyone else thinks.  This is (yet again) about MY guilt junk that I feel every day about being a mom and an entrepreneur.

That guilt is like a three ring circus eating me up every day.   My kids are little and I know that my path is different than others, but for me, it means that I can’t go to every networking event and every speaking engagement I’m invited to.  I pick and choose and that’s what’s right for me right now.  But the fact remains that I sometimes feel guilty when I stay home because I feel like I’m missing a great training or event that will boost my business and I ALWAYS feel guilty when I do go. Guilty for leaving my kids at home.  Guilty for the favors that I called in so they could get good care.  Guilty for feeling like I’m dumping my responsibility on my husband, mom and friends.

For the record, I LOVE my kids.  LOVE them.  I have never felt more fulfilled in my life than when I’m with my kids.  They are my whole world and they are my WHY for everything I do.  It’s okay for me to LOVE my Wednesday, which was me playing with my kids at the park and reading books, and taking them out to their favorite place to eat bread sticks.

And it’s okay for me to LOVE my Friday being pampered and spoiled by my radio network.

AND I don’t have to hide my good day in order to prove BOTH to anyone (including myself)!

I don’t speak (a.k.a. work) because I have to get out of the house or I’m going to go crazy.  I speak because God gave me a voice and He’s asked me to use it.  I speak because I want people across the country to find joy and fulfillment every day of their lives and I want them to dream BIG and then Make It Happen.  I speak because I want women entrepreneurs to know that they can grow thriving businesses without sacrificing a meaningful personal life (You can!).

Today, as I thought about the voice God gave me, I realized that He didn’t give me Guilt.  I did that all on my own.

I also remembered that my friend Angella once said, “Guilt is a choice.” And she is so right.

So today, I choose to live what I’m going city to city preaching:

ENJOY your life.  Whatever moment you’re in now, enjoy and embrace it.  Savor the time you spend with the people you love, and savor the time you get to spend on doing what you love, too (and if you aren’t loving what you’re doing, we need to have a chat.  Though entrepreneurship can be challenging, I hope it’s driven by passion.).

I choose to stop letting guilt be my guide and be better committed to God being my guide.  (which means I’m going to spend more time in prayer and meditation so that I can make confident decisions that are right for me and my family).

I choose to stop letting guilt cripple me.

I’m sure in six months (if not sooner) I’ll be writing another post just like this. I know me, and I know how easy it is to slip back into the guilt story.  I also know that feelings can be a good gut check to see if we really are honoring our path and the time we spend with our loved ones while we’re building the business of our dreams.  Sometimes I do get things out of whack and recognize when I’ve made a seemingly “bad choice” and it’s a great time for introspection and course correction.

But for now, I’m going to appreciate it, enjoy this view and let go of the guilt.

What guilt could you let go of?

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a sought after business strategist and speaker. She’s the creator of “The Life Balance Myth” coaching program and self-study system for entrepreneurs & professionals. She’s been featured in numerous media outlets including entrepreneur.com and UVBQ’s 40 under 40.  She’s also the host of a weekly radio show.  As a mother of two young children she knows there’s no time to mess around.  It’s time to Make It Happen.

 

 

How to be an Entrepreneur AND a Mom at the Same Time

I enjoyed this article on KSL.com today (and also enjoyed the Startup Princess shout out from the author, Nicole Carpenter).  I love that more people are talking about how women can be both thriving business professionals AND rock star moms at the same time.

For so long I believed that there was an OR in that sentence.  That I could be a good mom OR a successful entrepreneur, and I’m grateful for the realization that I don’t have to choose.  I’m honored that with the enrollment of family and friends (who help a lot), and with a careful selection of what consulting clients I take on (and which ones I don’t), that I honor the time that I spend with my family and do my very best to be in priority at any given moment.

Nicole says, “I believe there is a silent epidemic of dissolved dreams afflicting women who have put many dreams on hold to be a wife and mother. I also believe being a mother is the single most noble calling a woman can fill. But often, we don’t talk about the other desires we had before becoming a mother — maybe out of fear people will think we are not happy as a mother, or maybe because we have truly given up on them.

Those dreams don’t truly go away because they are a part of who we are, a part of who we are meant to be. They will weigh heavy on your mind, or offer a burning sensation in your heart, and you should believe because all dreams are real.

You can be a good mother and still follow your dreams. You totally can, if you so desire. In fact, when you follow a dream you set an example of goal-setting and hard work for your children.”  Read the full article on KSL.

And I would add, that for those of you who are subconsciously taking out your frustrations of your back burnered dreams on your kids – you aren’t doing you or your kids any favors.  That kind of regret and pressure can be felt by kids, and if you are consistently saying “I can’t do that because I’m a mom.” Your telling your kids to believe in an OR mentality as well.

Make it work.  Make it work right for you.

For some people, in home nannies are the answer to child care issues.  For others, day care.  For some these arrangements are full time and for some, they are part time.  DO WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.  For me, what’s right for me and my kids is a babysitting co-op.  My speaking and consulting schedule is less consistent, so it’s hard to get a nanny when my hours are 10 one week, and and 40 the next.  I also like my kids to be in the homes of my friends and other kids, and I’m blessed this arrangement works for me.  I have some other moms that I can call on to have my kids, and in turn, they call on me on my days off.  Which means on the days that I don’t work, I often have 2 or 4 additional kids at my house.  For some that wouldn’t work, but for me, it’s perfect.

I also love Nicole’s thoughts about counseling with your family.  In my world I call it enrollment.  You’d be surprised what your husband and kids are willing to do with a good enrolling conversation.  I even enroll my three year old.  She can understand better why mom is gone, if I explain what I’m doing, and let her know that next week my schedule is wide open to play with her and her brother.

 

Thinking about Judgement & All the Years that I Felt the Sting of it as a Mom Entrepreneur…

Thinking about judgement & all the years that I felt the sting of it as a mom entrepreneur. Maybe you feel it too?

If so, I am saying a prayer tonight for any of you who are building a business because you need to create income/or some other important reason you feel drawn to it and want the flexibility of being an entrepreneur even though your heart wants to be focused on motherhood and there’s a pulling every time you leave your door and have someone watch your kids or maybe you feel the judgement of neighbors, friends, family, etc. who just don’t understand your circumstances, the heartache, and the conflict.

Years ago I had a choice to be an entrepreneur or not. I didn’t need it for the income, really I didn’t. I needed to do it because God told me to do it and so I did. And He told me to share my journey with you, with our community and that somewhere, some women would need the inspiration and feel encouragement because the fact I was cheering for them. I hope you feel these cheers because I’m still doing it. I have been doing it for nearly 6 years and Michelle McCullough has been cheering right along with me for the past 4 yrs. You are NOT alone. I want you to know that.

I know that it can feel incredibly lonely sometimes, I get it. I feel it now at 12:30am when the house is silent and I am catching up finally on emails and asking God what’s the needful items for my To Do list this week. The LIST is lonely sometimes, but really it’s not when I remember that I build my businesses with God and all things are possible with His help. Open your heart to it, my friends. I promise it’s easier than the solo gig.

Make a Wish, Make it Happen,
Kelly
Startup Princess, Founder

Clarity – Are You Ready for 2013? Five Tips For Inviting More Clarity Into Your Life and Business

In her book, The Fire Starter Sessions, Danielle LaPorte says, “Knowing how you actually want to feel is the most potent form of clarity you can have.”  Isn’t that insightful?  Think about it for a minute…How do you want to FEEL in 2013?  Better yet, if you have some goals or resolutions you want to keep, have you attached a feeling to accomplishing those things?

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a shift.  If I’m being honest, there were parts of my 2012 didn’t quite go as I had hoped in the “dreams” department.  But I’ve done my evaluation, gone through my wins (and I had some great stuff happen, too, don’t get me wrong) and made some big plans for 2013.  I feel electrified and I’m ready to take on some amazing things in 2013.  How about you?

(As a side note, I’m speaking at an event called Clarity 2013 next week.  I know it’s short notice, but I do have some free tickets available for you and a guest.  If you want to come, it’s a $497 ticket (yours for free!), as a little 2013 gift to my Startup Princess Friends.  Register here: http://bit.ly/clarity2013)

How do you get clarity? Here are a few tools I use to help me get grounded while dreaming BIG:

1. Take time meditate and dream. Don’t just “accept” that this is the way things are going to be, take some time to mediate and dream on what you’d like have come into your life, professionally and personally.  Our future is in our vision.  Our ability to find and desire change is what fuels us to progress.

2. Give yourself permission to course correct.  Things change. Years are long.  Allow yourself to adjust and course correct over the year as you naturally grow and change.  I love the way Jack Canfield uses car headlights to symbolize stretches of our life.  You may not be able to see all the way across the country on a dark night, but you can see the twenty feet that your lights see and then when you get those twenty feet, you can go another.  As you get more information this year, course correct your goals and resolutions to fit who you become.

3. Choose a word for the year.  Last year my word was Intuitive.  I took a soulful journey into deepening my connection to Divinity and also discovered answers to questions that deep down, I already knew.  The year before I picked the word Light.  I loved seeing the light the world has to offer, especially amidst all the darkness, despair and depression that can come from reality.  This year, I’m taking on a feeling, and though I’m not entirely sure what that looks like yet, I know that I want to feel more peace, more order in my home and work space, more joy in my relationships and I want to create more memories with my family.  These things motivate me to create experiences with the ones I love to really feel 2013.

4. Get rid of anything in your life that doesn’t serve you. Everything has an energy to it.  I’m not going down a giant woo woo path today, but we are emotionally connected to people and things.  Are there THINGS in your life that you need to get rid of so that you can have more clarity in your space?  Are there RELATIONSHIPS in your life that need to be put on the back burner or tabled?  I’m not about kicking people to the curb, but we can control how much time we spend with energy suckers in our life.  Spend some time going through your home and office and take out things that no longer help you feel good.  (And though we don’t really have time to go through every bit of organizational tips and therapy in this article, if you have some sentimental things that might be expiring you in some way, but that you want to keep, put them in a box, and get them out of site!) Clear your space, clear your head, and make way for new things.

5. Make it a regular habit to ask yourself the question “Am I feeling how I want to feel right now?”  If the answer is “No.”  Ask yourself, “What needs to change?” Nuff said.

Do you pick a focus word for the year?  If so, what’s your word for 2013? How do you get clarity in your life and business?

If you’re interested in getting more clarity about what 2013 looks like for you, join me, Ann Webb and Gerald Rogers at Clarity 2013.  I’ll be sharing my master plan for running three businesses without sacrificing my family or personal life.  Time is limited and productivity is my number one priority week after week.  You can get a free ticket (a $497 value(here:  http://bit.ly/clarity2013

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a national speaker and business consultant.  Michelle recently released Marketing Mastery, a 4 disc audio program that helps entrepreneurs and small business become confident in their messages that reach the masses.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 4 years she has coached women entrepreneurs (and even some men) and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19 and has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.   Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.  Michelle’s new radio show “Make it Happen” launches January 7th, 2013

Dancing In The Chaos – Four Tips for Thriving Instead of Just Surviving

I was on a mastermind call few weeks ago with fellow radio show hosts and one of them shared some struggles she’s experiencing in life and business and then she said, “I’m dancing in the chaos right now”.  That single statement ran through me loud and clear and has somewhat haunted and comforted me ever since.

The last few months have been a whirlwind for me and for Startup Princess, too.  We had our site attacked three separate times and infected with malware.  Many headaches, about seven weeks and lots of money later, our site has been back up and running for a little over a month now.  It’s crazy how something as simple as that can throw your business model in a blender.

I have a new radio show starting this month.  (Stay tuned, I’m SO excited to share it with you!  It’s called Make it Happen with Michelle McCullough.  You can see the show page and see a teaser here.)  Though there is so much excitement around it, it also comes with an additional “To Do” list and is testing my ability to make decisions (and there are A LOT of them).  What I thought was going to be a compliment to Startup Princess and my speaking business has sort of become a business in and of itself and I’m feeling a little drained.

December is a crazy month for me, personally.  My kids have birthdays within 2 weeks of each other, with Christmas smack in the middle of it all.  It feels like we are all parties, presents and treats for weeks.

And that’s just the beginning, but I know you didn’t come here to hear about all of my challenges…

Can you relate?  What’s your story?  I’m noticing lots of friends feeling the chaos and change that is surrounding us and wondering when we just get to dance in all the joy.

Until then, here are my four tips for THRIVING, instead of just Surviving:

1. Don’t sacrifice your self-care.  When things are crazy, time is short, and it seems we have to let that go, that’s when we need it the most.  Get up early before your house and before the phone rings and take time for reading, meditation, exercise and relaxation. Fill your well, before you try to fill all the other wells around you.  Take care of YOU first.  I promise, you’ll have more energy for everything else.

2. Give your To-Do list a break, and start asking yourself, “What can wait?”  We’re always so efficient and trying to get everything done as soon as possible, but the reality is when chaos strikes it’s okay to re-evaluate your priorities and see what can be pushed off.  We’re going for sanity here, not awards.  For some of you, you’ll need to ask, “What can wait ’til February?”  While others may need to ask, “What can wait ’til next week?”  And in my case (after making my wish list of projects and initiatives for 2013) “What can wait ’til next YEAR?”  Slow down.  Be revered this year for doing it RIGHT, not doing it ALL.

3. Get help.  Take the offers of friends, hire an assistant (better yet, get an intern from the local high school or college) to help you with some simple tasks that you shouldn’t be spending your time on.  Again, do it RIGHT, don’t do it all.  Spend your time on the things that are most important and delegate the rest.  (If you need some help on mastering delegation, check out this article “Mastering (and LOVING) Delegation“)

4. Open your eyes and practice gratitude. When the life seems the craziest it’s easy to make a list of all the things that are going wrong and we miss all the things around us that are going right.  I know it doesn’t sound like a business principle, but I promise you, gratitude is the currency for abundance.  Keep a gratitude journal, write down all the ways your life is being preserved, all the people that offer to help and all the mini-miracles that come your way.  You’ll start to see the Divine is near, even when you feel so distant.

How do YOU Dance in the Chaos?  I’d love to hear your tips to survival of tough times.

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a national speaker and business consultant.  Michelle recently released Marketing Mastery, a 4 disc audio program that helps entrepreneurs and small business become confident in their messages that reach the masses.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 4 years she has coached women entrepreneurs (and even some men) and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19 and has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.   Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.  Michelle’s new radio show “Make it Happen” launches January 7th, 2013

The Power In Your Future is YOU

The message that I’m feeling loud and clear today is that WE (you and me) are in charge of creating our own future.   Sure there may be some effects from the leaders of our nations, but we have the most control over our everyday happiness and our every day success.

Remember, it’s about the journey AND the destination.  I’m all about honoring and making the best of the path that we are on, but we can’t ignore where we want to be headed.  Good goals are critical to helping us achieve success.  The journey means nothing if we don’t know where we’re going.  Dream big.  Dream bigger than you ever have before and then PLAN like you never have before.  Dreams are not enough – we must take the time to plan “where the rubber meets the road” so that we can ensure we end up where we desire.

As entrepreneurs, this is ever important.  November is a great time to reflect.  Ask yourself how the year went.  Ask my favorite evaluation questions:  What worked this year in my business?  What didn’t?  What worked in my personal life and my relationships?  What didin’t?

See, you may not be able to change your president tomorrow, but EACH DAY, you get the opportunity to evaluate where you are and change any course correction, big or small, that will effect the outcome of your life.

Life goes on.  Our businesses continue as WE take the wheel and control our own destiny.

Question: What will you change in 2013 to make the best of your business?

 

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a national speaker and business consultant.  Michelle recently released Marketing Mastery, a 4 disc audio program that helps entrepreneurs and small business become confident in their messages that reach the masses.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 4 years she has coached women entrepreneurs (and even some men) and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19 and has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.   Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.  Michelle’s new radio show “Make it Happen” launches January 7th, 2013

 

I Want it All – Three Tips for Self-Care & Rejuvenation While Growing A Business

I shared the following in an email to our Startup Princess Members just before Labor Day Weekend.   I thought I would share it here for all our readers.  And if you want to receive startup and life balance tips directly to your inbox, you can sign up here.

As we begin the Labor Day weekend, I’m reminded that I will (ironically) be spending a lot of the weekend working.  Such is the life of a serial entrepreneur.

I don’t mind it, really, I like what I do and a lot of my work feels like play.  That said, it’s important be be well rounded, take time for vacation and make sure I’m filling my own well.  I want to “Live a Life Without Limits”, but I’ve found that my biggest limitations come from my own physical and mental abilities.  If I’m not at the top of my game, my businesses come up short and my relationships suffer.  Can you relate?

Here are three tips for taking time for self-care and rejuvenation while growing a business.

1. Make a joy list of things you enjoy.  Everything from reading a book to taking a hot bath.  Include things that cost money, and things that free.  Include things that you can do in quick and easy 15 minute time blocks and include things that take longer like massages and pedicures (two of my favorites, when time and funds allow).

2. Schedule time each week to do something from your joy list.  And I really mean schedule it.  Put it in your calendar.  Treat it the same as you would an appointment with a client or a friend who’s in from out of town.

3. Make healthy choices.  Include a balanced diet and regular exercise – the exact program is up to you and your doctor.  I’ve learned the hard way that my body can be my friend or my enemy.  I am only as good as my health.  If I’m chronically sick, I can’t grow my business or care for my family and friends.  My energy is tied to how I care for my body.

You see, I want it all.

I want a thriving business without sacrificing a meaningful personal life.  I want a big paycheck and really fulfilling relationships, and believe it or not, sacrificing myself is NOT the way to do it.

I talk to a lot of women entrepreneurs.  I cringe every time I hear the word “sacrifice”.  They are sacrificing themselves for the sake of their businesses and their families.  While that’s admirable, it’s the quickest way to burn out.  Take care of YOU and then you will have the energy you need to grow your business without sacrificing your health or sanity.

Anyway, as you go into this weekend, whether you are working or not, I encourage you to take some time to establish some “labor free” routines that focus on YOU.
Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a National speaker and business consultant.  Michelle recently released Marketing Mastery, a 4 disc audio program that helps entrepreneurs and small business become confident in their messages that reach the masses.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 4 years she has coached women entrepreneurs (and even some men) and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19 and has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.   Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.

The WE Unite Manifesto – A credo for living more & stressing less in business

I will stop saying, “Busy”, every time someone kindly asks the question, “How are you doing?”

I will treat my time as an asset.  I will treat time as my friend and not my enemy.

I will say, “No” to the good so I have time to say, “Yes” to the great!

I commit to self-care.  I will start and end my day with me.

I will take care of my body – the vehicle to fulfill my dreams (and my to do list).

I will unplug more and reconnect with myself, my family, my friends, and God.

I will use my gifts to better the world.

I will give up my award as Multitasker of the Year and be more present in each of the roles I play.

I will stop expecting people around me to have a crystal ball.  I will ask for the help I need.

I will stop trying to do it all, and will enroll assistants, interns and others to help me grow my businesses.  I will use their gifts, so I can focus on my strengths.

I will give my kids undivided attention.  When I’m with them, I’ll close the laptop and turn off my phone.

I will make my kids and my husband a priority.  I will schedule time with them, and honor that time.

I will stop “sacrificing” my marriage for my business.  I’ll show love and gratitude to my husband each day and schedule a date night each week.

I will stop feeling guilty.  Guilt is a choice.

I will stop wallowing in all that’s going wrong and focus more on what’s going RIGHT.

I will stop comparing myself to other women and honor the path and timeline I’m on.

I hearby sign the WE Unite Manifesto,

Michelle
Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a National speaker and business consultant.  Michelle recently released Marketing Mastery, a 4 disc audio program that helps entrepreneurs and small business become confident in their messages that reach the masses.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 4 years she has coached women entrepreneurs (and even some men) and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19 and has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.   Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.

I’m Not a Writer…I’m a Procrastinator

“I’m not a writer, I’m a speaker.”  

I can’t tell you how many times those words have come out of my mouth in the last 12 months.  As I have been up leveling my consulting  & speaking business, I’m being lovingly nudged to write more.  ”You need a book, Michelle,” they say.  ”Post on your blog more frequently,” they continue.  ”Write for other sites,” they suggest.

Put me in a room of hundreds of people and I have no problems putting together sentences and sharing my content.  The stage and I are dear, dear friends.  However, if you have me open a word processing doc, or a new post in WordPress I’m paralyzed.

Don’t get me wrong, from time to time, I’m able to put together a post or two by some stroke of genius that is planted directly in front of me.  That said, writing posts and churning them out on a regular basis feels overwhelming, tiring and like I should just open a Haagen Daz bar and watch an 80′s movie instead.

It doesn’t help to hear all the web 2.0 proclamations on content, “Content is king.” “If you aren’t creating, you’re dying.” “The sites that blog 20 times per month receive 5 times more traffic.” No pressure, right?

Last night while I was on a walk I had an epiphany:

I’ve used the excuse, “I need to find my authentic voice.”  Screw it, I’m going to develop that as I go.

I’ve used the excuse, “I have poor grammar and use the wrong punctuation.  I’ll take another business writing class and then I’ll be good to go.”  Forget that, that’ll take 4 months at my local community college, and even then I’m bound to get things wrong.  (And besides, I have nice readers and a sister-in-law, that do a great job of steering me in the right direction when I’m off course grammatically.)

I’ve used the excuse, “I’m not perfect, perhaps I better figure everything out before I put my advice and insight out on the world wide web for the whole world to see.”  Well, now the cat’s really out of the bag.  I’m not perfect.  Though I’ve had successes as a marketer and business consultant, I don’t always get it right.  But I get it right a whole lot, and if I can help you skip over some of my mistakes I’ve made along the way, I’d like to do so.

I’ve used the excuse, “I’m not a copywriter.”  Funny that this whole demeaning self talk comes up in my life at the exact time I meet a new friend who IS a copywriter, and a darn good one at that.  I stopped writing/blogging/producing for a whole month because I knew I couldn’t do as well as her.   And I’ve realized, it’s not about how anyone else writes, its about me.  Whether you are an author, or you’re creating residual content on a blog for business.  People don’t want to read formulated professional speak, they want to make a connection with a real person.   The more real I can be, the more me I can be, the better.

The bottom line is, aren’t we all just trying to figure it out?  It’s about progression, not about perfection. And if I hold out for perfect, it’ll never happy and I’ll never produce anything.  If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, my life was forever changed when Tiffany Peterson said to me, “Perfect is great, done is better.”  She said that to me over a year ago, and today, I really HEARD it.

Though I may be judged for the writer I am today, I don’t think I’ll be praised for the writer I’ll be in six weeks, six months, or even six years from now, if I don’t just start trying things on and figuring out what does resonate with me in terms of my writing style.

For now, I’m publicly committing to writing more: both publicly through my blogs, and privately as I write my first book.

Want to join me?  What excuses are you willing to shelve? Maybe your current nemesis isn’t writing, but is there some other defeatist self-talk that you’re willing to challenge head on, so that you can develop into your next self – whatever that may be?  Take the challenge. It’s liberating.

I may not be a writer, but I’m a darn good work in progress.

Let’s connect on twitter @speakmichelle & @startupprincess

Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a National speaker and business consultant.  Michelle recently released Marketing Mastery, a 4 disc audio program that helps entrepreneurs and small business become confident in their messages that reach the masses.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 4 years she has coached women entrepreneurs (and even some men) and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19 and has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.  You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.  Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah.

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